Lobbyist and political activist Ted Trimpa smiles in 2008 after a press conference announcing a deal between business and labor groups to pull several contentious proposed amendments from the statewide ballot. (Brian Brainerd, The Denver Post)

In a sign of the mainstreaming of marijuana politics in Colorado, powerhouse politico Ted Trimpa is joining the Denver marijuana-centric law firm Vicente Sederberg in an of-counsel role, according to a news release put out by the firm Thursday.

Steve Fox, who has worked with a number of national marijuana-advocacy groups, will also being joining the firm in a similar role.

“We are very excited to have these two national strategists joining our team,” Brian Vicente, one of the law firm’s co-founders and an architect of the state’s successful marijuana-legalization campaign, said in a statement. “As the marijuana industry develops, it is critical that we not only represent our clients’ business interests, but also engage in the political process.”

Alexander Hornaday and Joe Megysey, two gay Republicans, attended the civil unions soiree. Hornaday is member of the Log Cabin Republicans, while Megysey is the former spokesman for the state Senate Republicans and U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora.

Several hundred fired-up Coloradans attended what was called an “uncivil soiree” Wednesday, a combination group therapy/pep rally over the fate of civil unions this year in the legislature and the importance of electing of more like-minded lawmakers in November.

Among those who spoke were two gay Denver Democrats, Sen. Pat Steadman and House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, who co-sponsored the civil unions legislation.

Republicans lawmakers cheer in 2011 during Hummers as Democrat Rep. Dan Pabon, playing Republican Rep. David Balmer, announces from the gallery that Boulder is no longer on any congressional redistricting map because no one wants to be with Boulder. 'We took the People's Republic of Boulder straight off the map,' 'Balmer' said, a statement that brought Republicans to their feet.

Oh, the wealth of material that will be available this year for Hummers, where the minority party spoofs the majority party in the House in songs and skits.

The show is expected to start about 4 p.m. today on the House floor, a time that was set weeks ago before there was controversy on when to hear a civil-unions bill. So, in other words, there could be a delay.

Once again, Democrats are going to give it to Republicans although Dems admit they wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end come 2013. The GOP now has just a 33-32 majority in the Colorado House.

Update:Tomorrow Brian Carroll tells why he moved to Lakewood in May, before any new districts were drawn.

Supporters of Rep. Andy Kerr say they are puzzled over a gay veteran’s explanation for why he is challenging a fellow Democrat for a House seat in Lakewood.

Brian Carroll told The Denver Post that he lives in House District 22 and planned to challenge GOP Rep. Ken Summers, who represents the district, but that Summers’ seat and Kerr’s have been merged.

A panel redrawing legislative boundaries created a new district that will see Kerr and Summers square against each other next year.

But the plan to merge portions of their district into one seat was announced in July and made final at the Colorado Reapportionment Commission’s meeting Sept. 19. Jefferson County voter registration records show that Carroll didn’t register to vote in the current House District 22 until Oct. 3. Carroll registered in Denver in January as a Democrat, and voted in the May municipal election.

A gay veteran who decided to challenge Rep. Andy Kerr in the 2012 Democratic primary announced he would kick off his campaign on Nov. 10. Now some of Colorado’s most prominent gays have announced a fundraiser for Kerr on Nov. 9.

Brian Carroll, the first gay solider to announce for office since the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, isn’t happy about the timing.

“While I do respect the progressives of Colorado and the GLTB community, I believe this tactic is politics as usual,” he said today. “Ultimately the people of Lakewood are going to decide who is going to represent them.”

Carroll’s decision to take on Kerr, described by gay-rights activists as a “pro-equality hero,” has puzzled a number of Democrats, including Kerr.

“I asked him why he wanted to fire me and he said, ‘You’ll find out during the campaign,'” Kerr said.

Lobbying makes strange bedfellows. One day you’re with someone on a bill, the next day you’re on opposite sides. That’s why Ted Trimpa made his famous sticky buns.

Trimpa represents EnCana and Noble, which have been involved in a natural gas bill for more than a year. Trimpa is lobbying on behalf of the measure, House Bill 1365, which promotes natural-gas electricity at the expense of coal.

Opposing it is fellow lobbyist and long-time friend Dianna Orf, who represents the Colorado Mining Association. The association contends the bill will severely reduce the use of affordable coal-based electricity on Colorado’s Front Range, causing a “massive spike” in energy prices for Colorado families and businesses.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.